Nha Trang in 5 days

Vietnam's premier beach city, where a six-kilometre golden bay meets islands, diving and seafood. Best time to visit: February-August. Average daily budget: $25 to $70 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Tran Phu Beachfront, The main palm-lined strip of beach, hotels and seafood restaurants.

Morning: Relax on Nha Trang Beach. Soak up the six-kilometre palm-fringed city bay.

Afternoon: Explore Tran Phu Beachfront, The main palm-lined strip of beach, hotels and seafood restaurants.

Evening: Go island-hopping. Snorkel, dive and swim around the offshore islands.

Eat: Fresh grilled seafood and lobster from the markets

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: City Centre, The bustling downtown with markets, bars and budget eats near the beach.

Morning: Soak in a mud bath. Unwind in the warm mineral mud and hot-spring spas.

Afternoon: Explore City Centre, The bustling downtown with markets, bars and budget eats near the beach.

Evening: Visit the Po Nagar Cham Towers. Explore the ancient Hindu-Cham temple complex.

Eat: Bun ca, the local fish noodle soup

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Hon Chong & North, The quieter northern headland with rock formations and local beaches.

Morning: Dive or snorkel the reefs. Discover Vietnam's best coral at nearby dive sites.

Afternoon: Explore Hon Chong & North, The quieter northern headland with rock formations and local beaches.

Evening: Feast on fresh seafood. Pick your catch at the lively seafood markets and stalls.

Eat: Nem nuong Ninh Hoa, grilled pork sausage rolls

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Vinpearl (Hon Tre Island), The resort island with a theme park, reached by cable car.

Morning: The quiet, scenic beaches around Hon Chong and the northern coast.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Vinpearl (Hon Tre Island), The resort island with a theme park, reached by cable car.

Evening: Ba Ho Waterfalls, a jungle trio of pools north of the city.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Banh canh cha ca, thick noodle soup with fish cake

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Bai Dai (Long Beach), The undeveloped sandy stretch south of the city near the airport.

Morning: Doc Let Beach, a tranquil white-sand stretch up the coast.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Bai Dai (Long Beach), The undeveloped sandy stretch south of the city near the airport.

Evening: The fishing village and floating seafood restaurants of the bay.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Fresh grilled seafood and lobster from the markets

Hidden gems

The quiet, scenic beaches around Hon Chong and the northern coast.
Ba Ho Waterfalls, a jungle trio of pools north of the city.
Doc Let Beach, a tranquil white-sand stretch up the coast.
The fishing village and floating seafood restaurants of the bay.

Getting around

Central Nha Trang is compact and walkable along the beachfront. For longer trips, Grab (cars and motorbikes) is cheap, reliable and the easiest way to get around, avoiding taxi-meter scams. Metered taxis from reputable companies are fine but confirm the meter is running. Motorbike rental is popular for reaching beaches and waterfalls outside town, though city traffic can be hectic. A cable car crosses to Vinpearl on Hon Tre Island, and boat tours and island transfers depart from the main piers and harbour south of the centre.

Safety

Nha Trang is generally safe, with violent crime against tourists rare, but petty theft, bag-snatching by passing motorbikes and pickpocketing on the busy beachfront are the main concerns, so keep valuables secure and don't flash phones or cash. Watch for taxi and tour scams, use Grab or reputable operators. The sea can have strong currents and occasional jellyfish, so heed warning flags. Solo female travellers generally feel comfortable but should take normal precautions at night. Drink bottled water and choose busy, well-reviewed seafood spots to avoid stomach upsets.

Nha Trang in 3 days | Nha Trang in 7 days | Full Nha Trang guide